Good print papers?

carmenkeys · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 3:19 pm Post subject: Good print papers?

Hi all, I just got my new art printer (an Epson R800), I am very excited---but I wonder which paper I should be using? I'd like to print probably glossy photo prints of my work, but there are a gazillion brands and types out there, it is mind-boggling. Anyone have any ideas?

Faerydae · Site Admin Joined: Oct 26, 2005 Posts: 333

We've learned the hard way that paper really varies.

We have a Epson 2200. You can get cheaper paper, but it does affect the quality. Make sure your paper is *meant* for your printer model.

It's important because the paper is meant to take the ink in a specific way for the optimum result for your final image.

Other papers won't either absorb the ink fast enough or slow enough, and it can literally change the tones of your colors. We learned a lot about our printer from a photography store that caters to professional photographers and for developing fine art prints from their photos.

I'd bet that if you find a really upscale photography store, they will be able to help you find the right paper for your printer and explain which - if any - other papers will work for what you are trying to do.

Epson tends to be fairly specific, this is our 4th higher end Epson printer.

I was completely unable to find an art store that was able to give me any good information for printers - and I'm in a great place for art stores of all types.

Hope some of this helps!

Once you get your specifics, you can haunt ebay for cheaper deals. Some online stores will seel wholesale, might be worth it to buy in bulk or hook up with others that have the same printer and all pitch in for a large order.

We've been hunting for the paper rolls, since ours can do fairly large formats as household printers go. With a roll, we could do prints 13 feet long with a few alterations, plus it would allow us to cut paper to our images.

But so far those are around 50-60 bucks a roll, so we are holding out a bit LOL.

carmenkeys · Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 1:25 am Post subject: Re: Good print papers?

Thanks! :)
So far I've got some Kodak paper, but maybe I ought to try the Epson kind because the colors *do* look a bit funny. But also, maybe I haven't found the magical tweak the printer needs to get it to look like the original, heh!
I was trying to find paper at least that is acid-free.... that seems to only occur in the higher-priced varieties.

Faerydae · Site Admin Joined: Oct 26, 2005 Posts: 333

Yeah that is pretty much true.

The higher-priced varieties are more fine-art orientated as compared to the more less durable cheaper ones that folks tend to use for more expendable print-work. They KNOW that photographers and graphic artists doing print work are wanting good durability, lasting and vivid and sharp colors, and each printer delivers inks differently. Cleaning the heads is imperative.

Read up on your model too. We discovered that we need to turn OFF our printer when NOT using it because if it is left on for too long - it can affect the way it prints. Things like that don't seem to be common knowledge, and might vary from printer to printer and model to model.